November 10, 2013

October 2013 Table Hopping

Executive
Chef Bryan Merker and his wife Monica, or “Nica” took their extremely popular
beignets from their restaurant menu on Southwest Boulevard, recently renamed Lagnaippe - Nica's Cajun
Kitchen, to sell them in a separate storefront inside the City Market. The café
is a straightforward affair, serving sweet and savory stuffed beignets, crepes
and chicory coffee just like in New Orleans. Get the traditional beignets.
You’ll get three, dusted with powdered sugar, for $3.75. For lunch, try the
Bourgeois Pig with cheddar, caramelized onion and hickory bacon. GO:
stand in line to order from the person standing near the cash register at the
end of the counter. This is a small space with people everywhere, so it can get
confusing on where to queue to place your order.

Empanada Madness

906 SW Blvd

Kansas City, MO 64108

(816) 503-6931

Southwest Boulevard has a new South American family that has
moved into the neighborhood, serving cuisine from Argentina, Peru and Colombia.
This is traditional South American home cooking at its best. Listen as the
daughter describes each dish to you, and then order an empanada for around $3,
filled with beef, chicken or vegetables. It is the delicious specialty of the
house. Want something more? Try the Lomo Saltado for around $10. This Peruvian
dish has an Asian influence with thinly sliced beef and bell peppers and
sautéed with French fried potatoes and served with a side of rice and salad. PARK: on the streets in the
neighborhood behind the restaurant. Even if you score a spot in front, getting
out is tricky.

Owners Marco Rabello and Christian Maciel
opened their Brazilian shop in the River Market only a few months ago, but buzz
is building about the café portion of their store. In addition to finding
Brazilian coffee and other staples, you can also order uniquely Brazilian
sandwiches and finger foods. Hungry? Get the Picanha sandwich for $6.75, which
is a Brazilian specialty cut of top sirloin with melted cheese on a baguette.
If you just need a snack, get a can of Guarana soda and the pão de queijo, served 3 for $2, which
are small snackable cheese rolls made with yucca or tapioca flour that you can
just pop into your mouth. HOURS: Open 10 am – 5 pm weekdays and 8 am – 5
pm weekends.

Co-owner, Sharon Hughes raised her daughter Ashley
Valverde to eat vegan, so she had plenty of time to practice her vegan baking
skills as her children grew up eating that way. When Ashley, and her husband
Michael Valverde, a talented vegan barista in his own right, decided to go in
with Ashley’s Mom, Sharon, as co-owners of a vegan bakery and coffee shop
inside of the little yellow house on 39th Street their goal was to
make things that people with various dietary needs and food allergies, not only
could eat, but would want to eat. Everything in
this darling coffee shop is tasty, whether you are vegan or not. TRY: if you find them, their totally
portable, Pop Tarty Pie Pockets and enjoy a
grown-up version of a childhood favorite.